Ali, I need at least ten of these novellas to cure my romance-starved heart. This novella is the reason why I
“I’m not over you. And I never will be.”
Ali, I need at least ten of these novellas to cure my romance-starved heart. This novella is the reason why I can always count on Ali Hazelwood to serve the best rom-coms. Definitely my favorite of this series, and Jamie and Marc were absolutely perfect and wholesome together. Ali knows how to write the good ol' “I thought you hated me trope”, and she slayed again.
Marc is a man on a mission to earn Jamie and her love. This man knows how to work for it, and he earned Jamie by making sure he was worthy of her. Also, the sister’s best-friend trope is always better than the brother’s best-friend trope, but when that best friend is older, it takes the tension and chemistry to a whole new level. Jamie and Marc were delicious. My only complaint is that this book was too short. I needed more of Marc and Jamie.
“What about you?” “I deserve you least of all. But I want you the most. And I won’t give up. The lengths I’m willing to go to . . . One day, I’ll show you.”
“I love you, Mr. Volkov.” “I love you, Mrs. Volkov.”
Rina Kent proved she can be a mastermind when she wants to be. I’ve read many dark romances, but n
“I love you, Mr. Volkov.” “I love you, Mrs. Volkov.”
Rina Kent proved she can be a mastermind when she wants to be. I’ve read many dark romances, but nothing quite like the Deception Trilogy. It’s a brilliantly structured, well-developed, and mind-blowing mafia story. Rina definitely put all her brain cells to work while writing these books. All the missing pieces finally clicked into place, and everything that had been confusing or fragmented in the earlier books suddenly made perfect sense. There isn’t a single plot hole, and Rina intricately wrapped up this trilogy with such precision—it’s amazing and applaudable. This book has become my favorite in Adrian and Lia’s story. They finally proved their love, honesty, and trust to one another, and it was incredibly moving and beautiful to witness their growth, both as a couple and as individuals. It was a beautiful culmination of their journey.
Lia Volkov is the best female character in the Rina Kent Universe. After going through the worst years of her life, and confronting the reality of Winter and her past, Lia began exploring her new self in a new light. She finally realized how much Adrian means to her, accepted her feelings, and even started her mental healing journey. I loved Lia's newfound strength and bravery, and how she slowly integrated herself into Adrian's criminal world—the one she had hated in the past—while making a respectable place for herself. She proved that her strength, resilience, and independence could thrive even under Adrian’s protection.
“She’s always felt like home, the one I think about going back to whenever I’m away from it.”
Adrian Volkov—I will defend him for the rest of my life. I loved him in previous books, but this one cemented my love for him. He’s still unhinged and dangerous, but he finally redeemed himself, showing his vulnerability and complexity bit by bit. His past completely broke my heart—the horrors and pain he endured, and how he had to numb himself to any emotions just to survive. It all shaped him into the man he is now, and finally understanding that makes everything about him fall into place. I love how he loves Lia, like he genuinely cannot live without her and would do anything to keep her and Jeremy safe. Daddy Adrian was hitting so hard here, and I was swooning every time he was with Jeremy. He’s still not a gentleman, but he’s making efforts in his own way, showing feelings and proving his love to Lia. I mean, the man was ready to die for her—what more could I want for his redemption?
“She’ll always be my lone rose—the resilient rose that I’d pluck from the side of the road over and over again, even if her thorns caused me to bleed. She’s my rose.”
Adrian and Lia are my new obsession. Their story is unforgettable and epic. They are so toxic for each other, but also so right together. Their relationship might not have started in the normal way, and they are nowhere near perfect humans, but it’s their story—as imperfect and toxic as it is—and their love for each other and their family is stronger than anything. Adrian’s roughness and darkness match Lia’s softness and elegance, and they are perfectly compatible as a couple and as soulmates. After the tragic events in the previous two books, they began rebuilding their relationship on a foundation of trust, friendship, and love. It was difficult, given their lost faith in each other, but they both gave their all to prove how much their marriage and family mean to them. Their family moments with Jeremy were everything, and they healed my broken heart. Adrian and Lia started with blood and death, but now their love is beautiful, passionate, and forever. They are such a beautiful and perfect family, and seeing baby Annika was a sweet bonus.
“I’ll try to be better. Though I’ll probably never be a hero.” “Who says I want a hero? I’m perfectly happy with you, my villain.”
“I do love you, Lia. I always have. But my form of love isn’t sweetness or softness. It’s nothing noble or delicate. My love is selfish and villainous. My love is the type where I will kill people to protect you and erase others to avenge you. My love is possessive, obsessive, and knows no boundaries, not when I first met you and certainly not now.”
I love everything about these characters and cannot wait to meet them again in the next books of the Rina Kent Universe.
————— I NEED ADRIAN VOLKOV TO WIFE ME UP! rtc ————— pls pls pls no more tears ...more
“I wish I’d never met you.” My lips brush against her forehead. “I’ll meet you over and over again if I have to.”
Giving a Rina Kent book five stars is
“I wish I’d never met you.” My lips brush against her forehead. “I’ll meet you over and over again if I have to.”
Giving a Rina Kent book five stars is definitely a canon event in my life. I never thought I’d see this day because I have a “hate but sometimes like” relationship with her books, but I always knew the Deception trilogy and Adrian and Lia would be an exception. I am addicted to their story.
Adrian forcing a homeless woman, Winter—who is the doppelganger of Lia, his missing or dead wife—to become his fake wife? Rina really outdid herself this time. The plotline is intriguing and unputdownable, captivating me from the very first chapter. A lot was happening, yet not much really happened in this book. The way Rina intricately weaved and twisted plotlines into one mind-blowing, addictive, and haunting story fascinated me. Adrian and Lia's story is intense, dark, and unhinged in all the best ways. The thrill and anticipation of discovering the truth about Lia, Adrian, and Winter’s tangled and messy lives kept me on edge. I couldn’t get enough of their mind-bending story.
Winter is a homeless woman and Lia’s doppelganger, turned fake wife of Adrian Volkov. She never expected to find herself in such a messed-up situation. She’s forced to become Lia, erasing every trace of Winter from her existence because Adrian is obsessed with Lia and would go to any lengths to bring her out of Winter. I felt bad for her, being dragged into all this, but I also need to know the full truth about her identity and connection to Lia.
“Is there anything crueler than erasing one’s identity? Than wiping away the essence of their being as if it never existed?”
Adrian Volkov is a mafia man through and through. He’s darkly charming, self-assured, and exudes raw power and authority. Yet there’s something different about him from other men written by Rina. He’s both dangerous and fascinating, and I couldn’t help but like him. I was obsessed with his obsession with Lia. He’ll do anything for her—one moment he’s going all alpha, and the next he’s caring for her in a sweet and thoughtful way. He’s confusing, but this man is something else, and I’m already falling for him.
“She’s the addiction I didn’t see coming, and when I finally noticed her, she was already streaming in my blood.”
Winter and Adrian? Adrian and Lia? There’s only lust and obsession between Winter and Adrian in this book. But there’s also something deeper simmering beneath the lust, twisted lies, and Winter’s hatred toward Adrian, along with his dark obsession with Lia, his wife. They have history, a messed-up one at that, and it’s impossible to fully understand their relationship from the bits and pieces in this book. I loved how caring Adrian is and how he’d destroy the world for his wife. I’m intrigued by how Winter is falling for him despite hating his depraved behavior. They are twistedly compatible. I can’t wait to read about their history and how it all began, and to reach the moment everything went to hell.
“What do I smell like?” “Like roses and fucking addictions.” “How do you know what addictions smell like?” “I didn’t. Until you.” “Me?” she drawls the word. “Yes, you.”
I absolutely adore Jeremy and his bond with Winter. It’s wholesome and heartbreaking at the same time. Adrian as a father is something else, and yes, he’s going on my “daddies I'd love to smash” list—because why not?
“Do you want me to be all alone, Malysh?” “No.” “Then you have to give me your mother during the night.” “Do you need Mommy too, Papa?” Adrian pauses before he says calmly, assertively, “I do.”
I don’t know where the plot is going; everything is so confusing so far. I have so many theories and questions, but no answers have been given yet. The shocking, jaw-dropping reveal and plot twist at the end left me shook. It’s rare for a book to truly catch me off-guard with plot twists, but Rina managed it twice. She slowly reveals little pieces, always holding her trump cards close. I thought I had everything figured out, but I was so wrong. The cliffhanger at the end left me on edge, so I’m running to read the next books. This trilogy has taken over my life, and I’m fully here for the madness.
———————
i just know Adrian and Lia are going to be my favourite Rina Kent couple ...more
Once there was a you and me We were lovers We were friends Before life changed Before we were strangers Do you still think of me?
I always had a thing for v
Once there was a you and me We were lovers We were friends Before life changed Before we were strangers Do you still think of me?
I always had a thing for vintage and ancient things especially the love stories of 90s. Before We Were Strangers teleported me right in the New York in 90s and made me live that era through Grace and Matt's perspective. It was beautiful, nostalgic, raw and emotional. Renee's writing is exquisitely beautiful and her narrative has a poetical quality that kept me hooked and in present with Grace and Matt's story. I loved the love story of two artists living, learning, exploring New York and falling in love in with the city together and with each other.
The story was realistic and raw but it was also sweet and steamy. I loved every second of it and really wished I were born in that era where humans simply just existed and enjoyed each other's company and loved the very essence of human existence and beauty of art and nature. Reading about New York in 90s was like experiencing a city that existed once in a past but can be revisited through someone's love and memories of that time.
“That’s why my mother always said we memorialize our past. Everything seems better in a memory.”
Garce was a Cellist and a girl who was in love with music. She loves it enough to do anything for her passion and she is really hardworking and selfless. I loved her funny and clumsy personality and how she sees the world and beauty in everything. Matt was a sweetheart. He was a photography student. I loved him more in 90s because he was this adorable and charming guy who fell in love first and harder. He was so patient with Grace and paid attention to every small detail about her and it was good to see that Grace had someone who loved her for who she was.
“You’re my first muse, Grace.”
“You were always with me, Grace. I never found a way to let you go.”
Grace and Matt's love is timeless. Their story is a first love and second chance story. It is told in two different timelines — in 90s when they shared college dorm in New York as seniors and were 21 years old and after 15 years of their college graduation. The way they fell in love with each other was so mesmerisingly beautiful. I couldn't get enough of them learning about each other and exploring their newfound frienship and blooming love between them. They liked each other as humans before they fell in love and that's what I loved about them. It was the real representation of what first and young love feels like, why it's scary but also exciting and delightful because they found their own favourite person.
“You can’t re-create the first time you promise to love someone or the first time you feel loved by another. You cannot relive the sensation of fear, admiration, self-consciousness, passion, and desire all mixed into one because it never happens twice. You chase it like the first high for the rest of your life.”
Their first meet after 15 years left them with this yearning to find to find each other and find out what happened to them. I wasn't expected to be torn apart by their present but I was, because of all the what ifs scenarios that kept coming. It was heartbreaking to see them realise how much time they lost because of some selfish people in their life. Matt and Grace fell in love together and found the meaning of it in New York in 90s but they had individual character growth for years and seeing them grow together as humans, lovers and parent after 15 years was refreshing. I also loved Ash and Matt together and how they bonded together as dad and daughter. Ash was chill and funny and that little surprise she planned for her parents in the end was so thoughtful and romantic.
“Three seconds doesn’t seem like a long time, but when you’re gazing into someone’s eyes, it’s long enough to make a silent promise.”
Reading about Grace and Matt's fast friendship and love story made me realise that love exists in various forms and that even if you find the right person, it all depends on the right time. That sometimes ambitions and dreams and love clash together and only one of them wins but life always has a way of surprising people. That losing something or someone meaningful to you in the past will come back to you one way or another and you will have it again in your life and it will be much better second time around. That true friendships and missed connections and love oportunities don't just vanish if love and trust was the foundation of it, and Renee expertly and masterfully captured it all in this evocative story....more
“Never ever make any deals with a Devil. Not unless you wanted to lose your soul.”
A gothic mansion of wild fantasies and haunting illusions, 4.5 stars
“Never ever make any deals with a Devil. Not unless you wanted to lose your soul.”
A gothic mansion of wild fantasies and haunting illusions, a deadly game, a necromancer and a hot and forbidden ghost—one rule: don’t fall in love in Phantasma.
This book is deliciously and eerily captivating. The plot is intriguing, and Kaylie's lush description of an eerie and gothic atmosphere created the enchanting, hypnotizing, and adventurous experience in Phantasma. Kaylie's narrative beautifully and intricately blended the fantasy elements and romance together, while dynamics between Ophelia and Blackwell unfolds with careful complexity. The grueling levels of Phantasma were unique, and I had a terrific time reading every level.
“Soft hearts don’t survive here.” “What kinds of hearts do?” He leaned down until their eyes were level. “Hearts with teeth.”
Ophelia, the eldest Grimm daughter, is bound to her legacy as the necromancer of New Orleans and Grimm Mansion—a destiny she’s known her whole life. But she’s haunted by shadows in her mind, fearful of failing this one task and disappointing the Grimm legacy. I love how the author explored OCD, subtly weaved it into Ophelia’s character to build a fierce, strong yet a soft-hearted female lead with realistic traits. Through her journey in Phantasma, and with Blackwell’s help, Ophelia discovers pieces of herself. She finds strength, bravery, and self-assuredness, and I enjoyed watching her growth throughout the book.
“I may never be rid of my inner demons, but for this single sliver of time, whenever we were together, you made them quiet. I was able to hear myself for once.”
Blackwell, the sexy and mysterious ghost aka the phantom. With gaps in his memory and a penchant for insidious bargains, Blackwell is charming, funny, and cocky in the best way. I was captivated by him instantly; there’s something undeniably attractive about his character that’s impossible to resist. From his words to his actions, everything about him had me swooning. His enigmatic past and centuries-long entrapment in Phantasma made him even more intriguing. I loved his devotion to Ophelia, especially in how he helped her recognize her own strength and self-worth. He is a green flag through and through.
“In all the darkness, in all the loneliness, you have been my one source of light,” he lamented as she began to come undone. “My soul will go to its grave with your name echoing in my mind.”
Blackwell and Ophelia are a perfect match. While their connection begins with insta-lust, I loved how their feelings deepened as they spent more time together. Their witty banter and forced proximity heightened the palpable tension, magnifying the electric chemistry between a necromancer and a phantom. Their dynamics were captivating, especially in how they were eager to help one another. Blackwell guiding Ophelia in discovering her new abilities, while she did everything in her power to free him from Devil's Manor. Their relationship encompasses not only physical attraction but also a profound emotional and soulful connection.
She buried her face into the crook of his throat. “You came.” “You called,” he answered.
“I will carry the memories of this time with you forevermore. The matter of my soul will always have your name etched into it.”
The ending was perfectly crafted. However, I wished for more of Ophelia and Blackwell in the epilogue. I was able to predict most of the plot twists, but they were still great, even with their predictability. I'm excited for Genevieve's story and relieved that she did not tried to pull Donatella in the end.
If you enjoyed Caraval and are in the mood for some gothic, haunted vibes this spooky season, Phantasma is the perfect read!
“With my name on her back and my son in her arms, Miller stands in the center of the field, looking like mine.”
I am finding my happy and com4.75 stars
“With my name on her back and my son in her arms, Miller stands in the center of the field, looking like mine.”
I am finding my happy and comfort place in this series. Each new book in this series brings so much warmth, joy and contentment in my life. It's like being wrapped up in your favourite worn out cozy blanket on chilly autumn days and it's the best feeling ever.
Liz Tomforde and men written by her have a special place in my heart. She truly writes the best contemporary romances filled with swoon-worthy moments, wholesome and emotional found family moments, a hopeful and beautiful romantic story giving us all the soulmatism vibes. She is the queen of writing green flags and I am mesmerised by her ability to create characters like Ryan Shay and Kai Rhodes, who are the definition of gentlemen. This series is one of the healthy ones I have ever read.
“You think you can keep this casual, Mills?” I nod frantically, hoping to convince both of us. His laugh is silent but rumbles against me. “Best of luck to you with that.”
Liz portrayed unexpected responsibilities in life and how sometimes some people completely change the axis of your whole life, in this case it was Max and how him coming in Kai's life was the biggest yet the best thing to ever happen in such a realistic manner. To see their father-son relationship and how they have support, love and care from everyone around them was everything. I love it when kids in books are an essential part of the story and Max is one of most important part of Miller and Kai's story. He is the one who brought them together and deepened their emotional bonding. Their mundane and special family moments together were everything, especially, those baking lessons. I have a serious baby fever because of this book now because Max is the cutest and funniest kid ever.
“This wild woman is my son’s calm. And in a lot of ways, I think I might be hers.”
➸ Miller Montgomery is struggling in her career due to the burnout so she decided to become a nanny for Kai's son, Max, and to stay close with her dad. I love Miller's character so much. She is a badass woman, the life of the party, has witty banter skills and a reckless and wild side that just made me love her even more. But mostly she is compassionate for the people she loves and she'd do anything to protect them. And the way she fell in love with Max and Kai at the time? It was everything. I love her relationship with Max and it was sweet to see her develop this motherly bond with Kai's son when all she ever wanted was an unattached life but little did she know that she was about to be caught up by two boys who'll become her whole world.
“I have a new dream now. You and Max are my dream.”
➸ Kai Rhodes is my dream man. Single dads are my kryptonite and Kai is the definition of a dad and a gentleman. The man who loves with every fiber of his being. The way he is raising his son is commendable, and though he has his self-doubts and fears, he always tries his best for Max. Kai never felt enough since he became a dad, he was always the one who helped others and it was hard for him to ask for help from others and to see him get help from Miller without asking her because she's just amazing like that just made my heart swell. I liked how he came out of his 'I am just a dad' zone and remembered who he is as a person with Miller's help. The confident and self-assured man with a thoughtful and kind personality. And the things he did for Miller? How he was always so supportive of her career and how he helped her with her recipes. I couldn't help but love him in this book.
“If she’d let me have her, she’d be mine. I love the girl, and I try to show her through my actions, but if she ever gave me the green light, I’d tell her too.”
: ̗̀➛ Kai and Miller
Kai and Miller are soulmates for sure. Two people crossing paths for a two short months and discovering the meaning of love and family together. Kai who always felt alone in his responsibilities and Miller who is always striving for next goal in her life but never felt enough but they reminded each other how important and loved they are with flaws and all. They found something special and their own together and it was amazing to see them explore their growing love and grow together as a family. How Miller helped Kai feel more than just a dad and how Kai made sure Miller realised that she is loved and cherished and that her worth is not derived just from her career and goals. Also, the angst and impending decisions related to Miller's career only heightened the tension and connection between them. I love seeing them fall for each other but mostly I loved how Miller fell in love with Max and treated him as his own child all the time. I loved how they both showed and accepted each other's vulnerable facets of life and helped each other in figuring out their lives.
“Miller,” he says, making sure my attention is on him. “If you ever decide to stop running and make a home . . . Make it with me.”
Their romance is a balance of wholesome, spicy, vulnerable and emotional moments. It was exceptional and beautifully crafted with one of my favourite tropes of all time, single dad. The found family arc that is weaved in the core of this story giving it a very nostalgic and home like feeling. The slow-burn is exquisitely builded-up with the tangible and effervescent sexual tension and growing emotional intimacy and vulnerability between the main characters. To simply say, it was pure perfection.
“You’re my favorite person, Miller, and for once I had someone for me. I had someone taking care of me. After being alone for so long, I finally had someone looking out for me.”
This review won't be complete without me writing about Monty because this man is perfect! I need Liz to write his book because he deserves his own love story. He is the inspiration for all the dads in the world because he raised his girlfriend's daughter all by himself and even though he made many sacrifices he never stopped working hard for her and raised Miller with so much love and care. It takes love and efforts to be a dad.
“She’s not my blood, but she’s my girl,” Monty says from beside me. “And she looks at your boy, who is not her blood, in the same way I look at her.”
Their love confession is one of my favourite chapter because it was so beautifully written. The epilogue was perfect. Liz writes one of the best epilogues ever. I am so excited for Isaiah's book though I was not his biggest fan in this book. But accidental marriage in Vegas is a delicious trope and in Liz Tomforde we believe. She can do wrong in my eyes.
——————— Updating my rating bcs i cannot stop thinking about Malakai Rhodes and this damn book ...more
A Thousand Splendid Suns is a masterpiece. It's a story that needs to be read atleast once in your lifetime, a story of hope and oppresssion, a story of familial bonds, mother-daughter relationship, friendships, survival and hope. A story of women's opression, their rage and sufferings and hopelessness in the midst of war that will leave you with so much compassion and empathy for Afghan women. I can not forget this riveting and compelling story that evoked countless emotions inside me, from feeling Afghan people's pain to hoping for them to get the life and freedom they deserved, from grieving with them to enraging on their behalf for what they all had been put through for decades, from feeling a sparkle of hope for their survival, new life to see that hope ripped out of their hearts in pieces.
“Tell her she is the noor of my eyes and the sultan of my heart.”
The story is depressing and heartbreaking but above everything it tells countless stories of different people who fought unabashedly against their oppressors, the display of human spirit and resilience, the indefatigable strength of Afghan woman depicted through Laila and Mariam's story, surviving, praying, grieving and fighting but also hoping for a better future. I have never read such a thought provoking story about women and what it truly means to be a woman in this world.
➸ Mariam's tragic story broke me in the worst possible ways. A little girl who just wanted to be loved and cherished, a young woman who just wanted a loving family and husband, a woman who has been betrayed by everyone in her life and left to suffocate in the world never deserving of her love, kindness and compassion. I love her with my entire heart. What truly inspired me was that no matter how many betrayals she'd lived, brutality she had suffered, she never stopped being a selfless and kind woman. She never lost herself to the tragedy of her life that only brought her pain. She was always resilient and humble and took Laila and her daughter in her care and loved them as her own and though she never had a family she could call her own I was happy that she experienced what it is meant to be loved by the family she choose to love.
“Though there had been moments of beauty in it, Mariam knew that life for the most part had been unkind to her.”
➸ Laila is my precious girl. Her character is genuine and altruistic in so many ways. She was passionate about her life until the war broke her soul. She has dealt with grief on every stage of her life and it broke my heart to see her went through so much as just a child. She is such a brave and kind soul and the way she loves people is truly amazing. She never lost her courage and strength and she was always the resilient one in her household, never backing down and always standing up. I admire her so much for all the things she did in this book. Laila is the definition of that woman don't need physical strength to fight for their lives and she is the inspiration for so many women out there.
“Mammy’s heart was like a pallid beach where Laila’s footprints would forever wash away beneath the waves of sorrow that swelled and crashed, swelled and crashed.”
➸ Tariq was a genuine and thoughtful man. The way he was with Laila and her children healed my heart after that tragic ending.
“Me?” he says. “I’ll follow you to the end of the world, Laila.”
: ̗̀➛ Mariam and Laila's bond is the purest and most beautiful thing in this book. They formed an unexpected friendship, a mother-daughter relationship after being exposed to the brutality of Taliban and their husband. Their love and hope kept them alive and going for years and they did everything in their power to keep the other person safe. They fought and sacrificed for each other and I was so happy for them to found each other in times like that.
“For me, it ends here. There’s nothing more I want. Everything I’d ever wished for as a little girl you’ve already given me.”
: ̗̀➛ Laila and Tariq's love story was tragic but a beautiful and mesmerising one indeed. Their love is so beautiful and selfless. I cherish every moment they had together as friends, adults and then lovers. They gave me all the happiness that this book couldn't and their ending healed everything inside me.
“You know.” “Know what?” “That I only have eyes for you.”
I have always loved Khaled Hosseini's writing. It's exquistie, metaphorically beautiful and very atmospherically vivid and raw. The way he teleports me right into the world of his book by his descriptive details of the neighbourhood in Afghanistan. The way he portrayed every minuscule emotions in his characters and wrote their realistic and riveting personality. I am mesmerised. His words were like a dagger to my heart, I was engrossed with the story and had this dooming feeling all the time in my heart that maybe something really bad is about to happen. There were some moments of beauty, happiness and nostalgia and I cherish each and every one of those moments in my heart. What really kept me going was Mariam and Laila's hopeful dreams of a future where they are free of all the brutality and cruelties of their world. Where they are happy and in love with their life and dreams. Where they don't have to spend every minute of their day praying for not be the next woman to be raped and killed by Taliban. It was reassuring and comforting.
I will never forget this book. Maybe one day I'll read it again to understand it better or maybe not because I am not that much of a masochist. But if you ask me which book I recommend to every reader in this world? It's definitely ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’.
“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.”
So someone flagged my review of this book for plagiarism and gr removed the review as well as the book from 'read' shelf, when in reality i had spent So someone flagged my review of this book for plagiarism and gr removed the review as well as the book from 'read' shelf, when in reality i had spent an hour writing my own review? And it does nothing when it comes to people plagiarising my reviews?...more
“I think, as sad as it is to say, I think people aren’t always very nice to the people they love.”
Intermezzo is Sally Rooney's best work, an4.25 stars
“I think, as sad as it is to say, I think people aren’t always very nice to the people they love.”
Intermezzo is Sally Rooney's best work, and a literary fiction masterpiece in iteself. I dived in this story without any preconceived notion about the story and characters and it was a very delightful and refreshing experience. I love Rooney's ability to create flawed, profoundly human characters who feel incredibly real. They make mistakes, but those mistakes don’t define them as bad or evil—just more human. Each character comes with their own set of opinions and philosophical perspectives, adding layers of depth and authenticity that make them so relatable.
“Sometimes you need people to be perfect and they can’t be and you hate them forever for not being even though it isn’t their fault and it’s not yours either. You just needed something they didn’t have in them to give you.”
The Koubek brothers and their relationship or broken relationship was explored in a very detailed manner, describing their flaws, their pasts and the lack of interest and respect for each other, hating themselves and hating each other— which shaped their present personalities and also their messed up sibling relationship. It was the real representation of how humans and their circumstances force them to destroy some things in their life. I loved every aspect of it.
Ivan, the chess genius, is a smart and sweet man with a thoughtful and altruistic nature. He is the younger Koubek brother and dating an older woman, Margaret. Margaret has a significant impact on Ivan’s character development, which was crucial in helping him repair his relationship with Peter by the end. He is navigating the challenges of his chess career while simultaneously deepening his relationship with Margaret, which grows increasingly intimate and stronger with the time they spend together. Ivan and Margaret were perfect together, they had chemistry and everything. Their small moments were comforting and emotional and I loved how they understood each other so easily. Everything about them was tender, soft and sweet.
“Margaret feels that she can perceive the miraculous beauty of life itself, lived only once and then gone forever, the bloom of a perfect and impermanent flower, never to be retrieved. This is life, the experience, this is all there has ever been.”
Peter, the eldest Koubek brother, is portrayed as a villain. It was my perspective at first but I came to like him as story progresses and as we get to know more about his tragic adulthood and complex teenage years. He is the most complicated character with his struggles and addictions that make him seem more like the bad Koubek brother than anything else. But he is also the misunderstood brother, one who never had any chance of explaining himself or didn't wanted to do it. Peter's relationships with Naomi, his current love interest, and Sylvia, his first love, were undeniably messy. He found himself in love with Naomi, a younger woman, while also grappling with unresolved feelings for Sylvia that seemed to go beyond friendship. Despite the emotional complexity, I really appreciated how the dynamics between them evolved. The resolution felt satisfying, and it was rewarding to see how it all worked out for them in the end.
“What if life is just a collection of essentially unrelated experiences? Why does one thing have to follow meaningfully from another?”
Sally explored the general complexity of humans— their theories and ideas, fleeting moments of life, the various relationship dynamics people have in one life and the causes behind the mess of some broken relationships and siblings' bonds in a very blatant manner. I appreciated every dialogue and inner monologue and in-depth conversations between the characters, and it was riveting and compelling to say the least. The family drama that was brilliantly added to the story, the complicated yet realistic love stories that were weaved in the heart of this story made me love it even more.
Sally’s Intermezzo is, without question, her most compelling and intricate novel to date. It masterfully delves into mature themes like grief, mortality, hatred, and desire, all while grappling with deep-seated beliefs. I loved it and this is hands down a Sally Rooney winner for me....more
“It will happen when it’s suppose to happen. There’s no clock.” Aubrey touched the diamond on her wedding ring. “Love is timeless.”
Timeless is one of
“It will happen when it’s suppose to happen. There’s no clock.” Aubrey touched the diamond on her wedding ring. “Love is timeless.”
Timeless is one of my favourite Devney Perry books. The story was short and beautifully written and I loved how Devney included Charlie's point of view for introducing Aubrey's story and also gave us a glimpse of Charlie's life. I wish this book was longer but I also think it was perfect the way it was. This was not a small town romance and I loved how Devney wrote something different like city romance, if that's even a thing. But Aubrey was never a small town girl!
➸ Aubrey Kendrick is a hard-working woman with a stubborn nature just like Landon. She is a perfectionist to core and always does her best to rise to new successes in her life. But being a woman in this cutthroat man-made industry is hard and she is challenged every step of her way and I liked how she never back down from everything.
“It takes a strong man to love a Kendrick woman. Remember that, Charlie.”
➸ Landon is such a sweet and thoughtful man. He is stubborn and challenging but also has so patience when it comes to Aubrey. He was insistent on making her believe that there is more to them but also made sure she felt loved and enough every time. I liked how he always saw the real Aubrey and loved her with flaws and all.
“You’re on your knees but you own me. You like that, don’t you, sweetheart?”
The romance was so good. Landon is the perfect match for Aubrey. He challenges her and she's a woman who loves being challenged. Aubrey and Landon had instant attraction but it was explored in a slow-burn and emotional way that I loved every moment of their story. The push and pull they shared, every altercation, every moment they couldn't stop thinking about each other fueled their love for each other. Their chemisty was amazing, both physical and emotional and that's hard to achieve in books sometimes let alone a novella.
“Have you smiled today?” “What?” “Have you smiled today?” The line went quiet. That meant no. “Then the purpose of this phone call is to make you smile.”
“I don’t know what you want from me.” “You.” I took her face in a hand, tilting it up. “Just you.”
Timeless was the perfect book to end Lark Cove series. I had a great time with this series and I am so happy for all the couples and the familes they have build over the years. It's a bittersweet feeling closing the last chapter of any series but atleast I had a chance to know these amazing characters and I loved every second of it.
Also Devney said she's gonna write Charlie's book ...more
“I’m in love with a dream, with a man who isn’t real, and there isn’t any coming back from it.”
Living a dream life in dreams or dreaming a real life i
“I’m in love with a dream, with a man who isn’t real, and there isn’t any coming back from it.”
Living a dream life in dreams or dreaming a real life in dreams?
This book in simple words is magical and breathtaking. This is my first Sarah Ready novel and my very first book that has magical realism as one of its main settting, and it is a masterpiece in this genre. The story is a unique combination of dream and real life that left me with feelings like warmth, happiness and nostalgia.
Sarah Ready is an incredible writer, with her unique story-telling and incisive and profound narrative, she weaved a story of a woman learning to dream and then falling in love with the man of her dreams in her dream life. It's incredibly complex yet intriguing with every passing chapter, you will find yourself reading it without stopping because the story has a quiet hypnotic rhythm to it, with its tropical paradise setting in dreams, and cozy and comforting vibes of Geneva, Switzerland, you will get sucked right into the pages of this book.
“You forget everything you experienced, everything you knew in the dream world. Sometimes you’ll remember a flash. Sometimes you’ll remember a feeling. But mostly, you forget everything. You forget your dreams. You don’t take them with you into real life.”
The plot twists are perfectly executed with no plot hole galores. The anticipation of finding the truth behind those dreams Fiona is dreaming and to know what had led her to dream about that tropical island and Aaron left me with thrilling excitement. The story stirred a spectrum of perplexing emotions inside me from nostalgia to adoration to agonising emotions. There is also drama and comedy involve, brought in by nuanced side-characters. The scenery also has all the summery and cozy atmospheric vibes that are brought to life by Sarah's vivid details in her story-telling.
➸ Fiona Abry is a heiress of a Swiss watchmaker. Fiona is an intelligent and confident woman, an incredible single mother. But she forgot what it truly felt like to dream, to trust and to fall in love. This is where a mysterious and magical watch enters, a classic and family heirloom that lets her live her greatest desires of real life in her dreams. But what happens when said dreams feels like reality, when Fiona starts irrevocably falling for the man of her dreams in her dreams, a man who is just a figment of her desires and need but feels real. Fiona has everything she wants in her dream life, kids and a husband, Aaron McCormick who loves her beyond everything, but will she ever stop dreaming about the people she came to love in her dreams?
“I’d like to feel alive,” I admit, and then, “I think I can. With you.”
➸ Aaron McCormick is a man one can so easily fall in love with. He's got the gentleness, a charming persona, an easy-going nature, an incredible man, father and a husband. Aaron loves deeply and wholeheartedly. If he's in you cannot change his mind ever. I am enamored by his character and how he shows his vulnerability to Fiona, his thoughts on life, how he loves his people and how many hardships he had been through yet still he is most compassionate and down to earth man. To simply say, I am in love and you will be too if you just read this book once.
“McCormick.” “What does it mean?” “Some say it means an almost, a never-was, a dream that didn’t happen, but I say it means an always, a dream that still goes on.”
: ̗̀➛ Aaron and Fiona
The romance was breathtaking. I fell in love with Aaron and Fiona's beautiful and whimsical love story. Fiona and Aaron are soulmates in truest meaning, finding each other even in dreams because they were fated to be together. The way Fiona fell in love in her dreams, and how she started imagining her dream people in real life, how she cared for the people she met only at night in her own magical world created by her deepest desires, everything was perfect. Every dream, every conversation between Aaron and Fiona, every little date orchestrated their newfound love and trust for each other that later turned to this fated love story. How they truly showed their vulnerable and broken parts only for the other to heal them. The found family arc that is the heart of this story was constructed perfectly and with so much elegance and comfort. It was simply so beautiful, uplifting and endearing.
“I see evidence of him everywhere. He’s invaded my world. Even when he’s not real, not here, I still feel him next to me.”
The ending was perfect and you guys are in a roller coaster ride with how the last chapters were written. I tried my best to write this review without spoiling it for you because it's better if you experience the beauty of this novel by reading it and living it with these lovely characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“Hope matters most, I say fiercely. Hope isn’t the sickness. It’s the cure.”
Gods and Monsters delivered a satisfying conclusion to what has 3.75 stars
“Hope matters most, I say fiercely. Hope isn’t the sickness. It’s the cure.”
Gods and Monsters delivered a satisfying conclusion to what has been a spellbinding and roller-coaster trilogy. After my disappointment with book two, I had lowered my expectations, but this final installment reignited my love for the Serpent & Dove series. The story was not only magical and mesmerizing but also beautifully atmospheric, thanks to Shelby’s exquisite, detailed narrative. I loved the riddles and clues, the thrilling action sequences, and the group’s strategic planning to finally defeat the main villain. While the book did have some filler content due to its length, and the plot occasionally felt repetitive, the strength of the characters more than made up for it.
“Fear was inevitable. We all made our choices, and we all suffered our consequences. We all felt fear. The trick was learning to live with that fear, to continue forward in spite of it.”
The found family in this book is so precious—Lou, Reid, Coco, Beau, Celie, and even Jean Luc. They fought together against the evil, had each other's back. They all built something beautiful and hopeful together amidst the mayhem and chaos of their world, as friends and family.
Lou is one of my favourite fantasy female character. She is the embodiment of fire, and I love how she is soft-hearted yet fierce and protective. She is perfection. Reid had me swooning again in this book. The amnesia trope hurt a lot, but I loved seeing how he was falling for Lou again for the second time, how he couldn't resist the inevitable pull towards her —how he tried to hate her for being a witch but couldn’t help falling in love with her through the re-exploration of their relationship. Reid and Lou's love faced new trials in this book, but they both recontructed their relationship from the foundation of love and trust, and this time it's even stronger than before.
“I stared at her tearstained face, chest aching. She didn’t need to convince me. I’d do anything she asked. If kissing her would stop another tear from falling, I’d kiss her a thousand times. If we survived the night, I’d kiss away every tear for the rest of her life.”
Beau is another reason I loved this book. He was really charming, equally sweet, thoughtful, and hilarious, with just the right amout of possessiveness when it came to Coco. I wish we got his own book in this series or a novella for his and Coco's story. Coco is the ultimate best friend. I love how she protects, supports, and loves Lou. She is ready to burn down the world for Lou, and that’s true queen behavior. I also adored Coco and Beau's emotional and angsty love story. It was heartbreaking to see them deny their feelings while clearly longing for each other, but knowing they ultimately found happiness together was all I wanted since the first book.
“Just do it,” she said. “Hurry up.” He grimaced at the words but took a small step forward, lowering his voice. “If I remember correctly, Cosette, you don’t like it hurried.” Another step. Coco’s fingers still trembled. She fisted them in her skirt. “Not with me.” “I don’t like anything with you.” “Liar,” he whispered. Then he lowered his lips to hers.
The final battle scene was spectacular, expertly crafted with intense emotion and action. And the epilogue? A masterpiece. It was easily the highlight of the book. I am happy for Ansel, though my heart will never stop hurting for him. Reid and Lou got their happy forever after, and it was perfect.
“She was like this compass, constantly pointing me toward her. Never wavering, never faulty, always to her. Every piece of her felt like hom
4.25 stars
“She was like this compass, constantly pointing me toward her. Never wavering, never faulty, always to her. Every piece of her felt like home.”
This series is slowly becoming my new comfort series, one I can read whenever I want something cute, light, funny with romantic and sweet moments. There is also an emotional side to every story and it flows really well with the romantic aspect of the story.
I love Juliana's writing. It's very atmospheric, vivid, and metaphorically beautiful. The characters have depth, added dimensions that comes with their experiences and how it shaped their present persona. The story constructed in two timelines, past and present which beautifully orchestrated Adam and Rachel's friendship and love, their newly accidental marriage in convenience to them finally realising that love stays no matter what.
➸ Rachel Keller is personification of sunshine in human form. She is a confident and high maintenance girl who has a song for every moment. Rachel with her love for records and music is a genuine and beautiful soul who tends to have an altruistic nature to help people. I loved her relationship with her dad, it was heartbreaking but also beautiful in its own way to see how much they cared for each other, how they cultivated frienship in their father-daughter relationship. I also liked seeing Rachel's growth and how Adam encouraged her to believe that some people are meant to stay no matter what.
“She was the kind of woman that made you forget there were even other females out there.”
➸ Adam Wells is my new obsession. He's a sweetheart with grumpiest and broody personality, but is a total cinnamon roll inside. I loved his povs, how he was obsessed with Rachel for years, how he always helped her navigate her life amidst the messiness of her father's diagnosis. He is her person as much as she is. He is a listener but always says the right words at the right time. He showed with his little actions how much he cares for the people he loves, and he is truly one of most amazing and loyal people I have read about. Simply my new favourite book boyfriend ...more
“You may not be a goddess, but nor am I a god. Despite our mundane lives, perhaps we make our own magic with words.”
Iris and Roman will forever live i
“You may not be a goddess, but nor am I a god. Despite our mundane lives, perhaps we make our own magic with words.”
Iris and Roman will forever live in my heart and in my mind rent free. Divine Rivals struck a chord in my heart and made me fall in love with Iris and Roman's beautiful and enchanting story and it's always going to be a special one for me.
Divine Rivals followed Iris and Roman and how their love story blossomed from being rivals to writing letters of enchantment to finally confessing their feelings. Ruthless Vows's narrative centered more on the world building of the magical world Iris and Roman lived in, and Rebecca explored the history behind the rivalry between the gods — how Enva's need for freedom and Dacre's animosity and hunger for power laid the foundations for the war. I was waiting for more of world building after reading DR because that book lacked that aspect of a fantasy book and Rebecca finally gave us all the insights and depth in this book. Rebecca's writing? Exquisite and divine just like this series.
“Their souls weren’t mirrors but complements, constellations that burned side by side.”
➸ Iris Winnow
She is one the fierceless character I have ever read about. One thing I admire the most about her is that she is emotional and vulnerable but she always know how to held her ground, she knows how to use that vulnerability and pain and to turn it into strength and love. Her compassionate side only wants to help and make their world a better place and she fought till her very last breath to do that.
“Let me be your secret, then. Tuck my words into your pocket. Let them be your armor.”
➸ Roman Kitt
I fell for him even more in this book. Roman is perfect but we finally saw a different side of his personage. He was held captive and fought for himself and the past he couldn't remember anymore. He is still loyal to his humanity and his beliefs and he fought the battle against Dacre while being a part of his army and that was the hardest thing he had to. My heart broke for him, for the pain and trauma he experienced and how he wanted nothing more than to be with Iris after regaining his memories, but couldn't. I will never forgive Rebecca for putting him through hell in this book when all he ever wanted was to be with his wife.
“Your words have moved me, deeply. I also hunger for them, for you, and feel as if I could devour tomes of your writing and never be satiated.”
╰┈➤ Iris & Roman
Iris and Roman didn't had many moments together in this book but the few they had have all my heart. The first time they met again was heartbreaking and full of agony on both character's part. One remembered everything and the other didn't and the longing on Iris's face and the confusion on Roman's face, it was too much. The romance was full of pain, angst, longing and mutual pining. I loved that they still exchanged the enchanted letters and it helped them know each other again. But mostly I loved how it felt, like something that was familiar but also new in the same sense, sending letters as strangers and then as lovers who yearned to be with each other. It was hopeful and beautiful to see how they made promises to each other for the life they wanted to build together after the war was over and also kept those promises. Their few stolen moments, reunions, face to face interactions, those promises and letters and their happy ending healed my broken heart.
“You believed I had come to the Bluff to outshine you. And I would speak this word back to you now, but only because I would love to see you burn with splendor. I would love to see your words catch fire with mine.”
➸ The side characters?
I liked Attie and Tobias together. They were adorable and I wish we got more of them in this book. I even liked Forest in this book. I still hate him for what he did in DR but I understand where he was coming from and he just wanted to save his sister, his only living family.
➸ The gods?
They were a joke. Enva's presence did nothing in this book and you are telling me she knew how to kill Dacre for years and she still waited years to do it? She let soldiers after soldiers die for her for no reason other than to wait and see how low can Dacre go to win this war? And people had sides in this war when both the gods were as horrible as the others in the graves? The whole thing about gods and their hunger for power was so frustrating.
I was eagerly waiting for Iris and Roman and how they'll meet again, and tackle the situation regarding Roman forgetting his memories. I wanted to fight them together side by side but Dacre had to ruin it for them. He held Roman captive because his only two brain cells couldn't write an article on his own.
The ending chapters were terrifying and I couldn't stop crying. The war scenes were raw, intense, hopeful yet so hopeless at times. I liked how Rebecca wrote those chapters in mutiple povs and gave us insight about all the sides of war zone. The ending broke my heart a little and it was bittersweet and Iris didn't deserve that in the end. But atleast Iris and Roman are happy and finally living in a cute cottage and writing letters and books for each other. We atleast deserve a few bonus scenes after the emotional turmoil they have been through.
I loved this book which I definitely wasn't expecting after reading some reviews, but maybe I had lower expectations or maybe I just simply loved it. Though I still feel like Rebecca robbed us all of Iris and Roman's angsty and wholesome moments in this book.
“Write me a story where there is no ending, Kitt. Write to me and fill my empty spaces.”
——————— pre-read review: i am so scared to read this book bcs of the mixed reviews but i need to woman up and finish this duet so here we go.......more
“Milene Scardoni, for whatever reason, has become a drug coursing through my veins. The more I get, the more I want.”
Salvatore and Milene st4.25 stars
“Milene Scardoni, for whatever reason, has become a drug coursing through my veins. The more I get, the more I want.”
Salvatore and Milene stole my heart. I absolutely loved their story and it has now become one of my favourites by Neva Altaj. The story and the plotline was perfect, the romance was swoon-worthy, Salvatore's obsession with Milene had me swooning, the slow-burn and smut was immaculate. I couldn't ask for anything better for Milene and Salvatore.
➸ Salvatore Ajello can give all the other obsessed mafia man a run for their money. I was not expecting a obsessive and unhinged hero like him but damn this man had me giggling and kicking my feet in the air with his antics. The way he couldn't control himself around Milene had me swooning everytime. His obsession with Milene is on another level and it should make me run for the hills but instead I am here obsessing over how hot he looks when he is in full alpha and possessive mode. There's something about mafia men and them being jealous for their women... it just hits different with all the crazy things they do for their women.
“I’m not jealous.” I take a sip of coffee. “I just have an uncontrollable urge to kill any man who even looks at my wife.”
➸ Milene's character was so fun to read. She is funny, thoughtful and compassionate. I love how she kept Salvatore on his toes every time and didn't give in to him so easily. She made him work for everything. I also love her cat, Kurt. He is the unpaid comedian of this book. I was cackling like a hyena reading a bonus scene from his point of view. This cat is truly evil.
Salvatore and Milene were perfect. They compliment each other so well and their dynamice fit each other's in a perfect puzzle. Salvatore is a controlling, grumpy and possessive mafia man who feels nothing and Milene is a sunshine reincarnation in human form who feels every emotion to her core. They have an undeniable physical and emotional connection and top-notch chemistry from their very first meet. Salvatore was obsessed with her the moment he saw her smile and the unhinged things he did to see her makes me scream in my pillows in a good way. Their relationship unfolded at a very slow pace and the slow-burn was definitely burning with all the stolen touches and glances they shared. They are undeniably hot together. I love how much they love to challenge each other. Everything between them is a game of predator and prey and they never give in so easily.
“I want you to smile at me every day,” I say next to her ear and slam into her again. “Every.” Slam. “Fucking.” Slam. “Day.”
“You should be very careful with that smile, vita mia. People may end up dead because of it.” “Smiles don’t kill, Salvatore.” “Yours does. Try giving one of the smiles that belong to me to someone else and watch the river of blood ensue.” “Such a poet, my husband.” I smile against his lips.
Neva really outdid herself with Bianca and Milene's books. I don't think any other book will be able to dethrone Scardoni sisters' books for me but never say never. Also if you haven't read bonus scenes of this book, please do it. They were hilarious and so freaking cute. Salvatore Ajello as a possesive daddy is something else!...more
“I love you, my little sun. My solnyshko.” I wind my arms around his waist and bury my face in his chest. “I love you, too . . . my Mikhail.
4.25 stars
“I love you, my little sun. My solnyshko.” I wind my arms around his waist and bury my face in his chest. “I love you, too . . . my Mikhail.”
The softest, sweetest, cutest and the most wholesome mafia romance book I have ever read. Everything in this book was so achingly sweet and comforting and I loved every second of it. The plot wasn't much exciting because it was mindless but the main characters made the story and romance beautiful and exceptional. It was simple, genuine, pure and too sweet.
➸ Mikhail Orlov
This man makes me wanna do crazy things for him. Morally grey single daddy ...more
“For keeps?” I breathed. He kissed my shoulder. “For keeps.”
Did I finish this book or did it finish me?
Heartbreaking, soul-crushing, profound but abov“For keeps?” I breathed. He kissed my shoulder. “For keeps.”
Did I finish this book or did it finish me?
Heartbreaking, soul-crushing, profound but above all an unforgettable and a beautiful story. I expected this book to be full of sunshine and happiness, but it was so much intense, emotional and heartbreaking than B13. There were so many dark and heavy topics in this book and Chloe didn't hesitated to show us the raw, realistic and blatant vulnerability in this book. But above everything else, this book has one of the best, beautiful and genuine found family.
The romance was tender, charming, adorably awkward sweet. K13 focused more on the family dynamics, characters' growth and development, trauma and healing of the Lynch siblings. Chloe delved deeper into Lynch's family dynamics, showed us the pain and darkness that lurked inside their house, showed us that not everything in reality is always black and white, and that sometimes freedom, forgiveness and happiness costs life and death. I can't even imagine the pain the Lynch siblings has suffered for the years and its incomprehensible until you step into their shoes and Chloe reflected their pain, trauma and unhappiness in this book and let me tell you it was gut-wrenching and heartbreaking in the worst way possible.
“Well, I don’t want easy. I want you. Just the way you are. Every part and every piece.” “Even the broken parts?” He winked. “Especially the broken parts.”
➸ Shannon Lynch
I really liked how Shannon tried to come out of her shell in this book. It was a small growth on her part but I don't expect her to do a one-eighty in just a few months because Shannon has been through hell in her entire life. She is finally trying to let other people in her life and I liked how she's not lying to anyone even when it goes against her surviving nature. She stood up for herself against her family and her bullies when it was needed. She's so precious and strong and resilient and maybe she doesn't know it yet but she is a survivor through and through who did everything in her power to climbed back up on her feet.
“I’m here for Johnny the boy. Not Johnny the rugby player. I’ll stay for both, but I’m only in love with one.”
“Claire Biggs had a lot of things. My back. My attention. My heart. My soul. Yeah, she had all of me and that wasn’t an exaggeration.”
Jokes 4.75 stars
“Claire Biggs had a lot of things. My back. My attention. My heart. My soul. Yeah, she had all of me and that wasn’t an exaggeration.”
Jokes on me for thinking Taming 7 would be less painful and heartbreaking than the previous ones in this series just because it is about two sunshine emanating characters. Jokes on me for thinking Chloe can write love stories without breaking my heart in the process. I am destroyed by this series. AGAIN. For the millionth time.
Taming 7 is a funny and comforting story and Gibsie and Claire definitely poured sunshine and joy in this book but it also had it's heartbreaking, dark, tragic and soul-crushing moments. I wasn't expecting this to be a heavy read with so much trauma and pain. The romance balanced the pain and angst part of the story.
➸ Claire Biggs
Claire is the definition of sunshine walking on earth in human form. She is brimming with life, hope, heart and sincerity and this girl radiates happiness and sunshine on daily basis. I have always loved Claire and I love how she's very forthcoming about her feelings, how she understands people and sympathises with them and how much she cares for the people she loves, especially the boy she loved all her life. Claire’s character felt real and authentic because she always shows everyone her real side and it was refreshing because sometimes I want to read about characters who don't put a façade to keep others happy. The things she did for Gibsie for years, how she kept him alive and safe in her own safe bubble, protected him from his nightmares day and night, gave him a safe place, gave him the reasons to love and live and the way she loves him with so much passion and joy was incredible. She loved him when he was incapable of loving himself, she loved him even when she lost herself in him and it just shows that no matter what love is messy and raw and heartbreaking at times but it is always worth for the right person.
“This boy was the boy. The boy my heart had been created to beat for. The boy I was made to love.”
➸ Gerard Gibson
Gibsie is always seen as the class clown, the joker, the sunshine boy, the mischievous boy. The boy who can make anyone laugh with his antics and jokes but no one ever saw what he hides behind those jokes and laugh except his best-friend, Claire. He is the most thoughtful person in this series, he's the one who's always there for everyone, the one who keeps their group happy and alive. And I never thought his story would break me like this. I never expected to see this side of Gibsie — the boy with demons in his mind, monsters in past, nightmares and trauma. But it's always the people who smiles and laughs the most hides the greatest pains in the world, and Gibsie was excellent at hiding his pain, heartbreaks, burden, anger behind the jokester façade he created to tell himself and others that he's okay. The deeper exploration of him only made me love him more. It showed and explained in intricate details his trauma, the several layers he had wrapped around his heart as coping mechanisms to his trauma and his reasons behind his carefully crafted persona and it all broke my heart. He deserves the best in the world.
“She was the best part of a broken childhood.”
: ̗̀➛ Claire and Gibsie
I never knew how much I needed sunshine-sunshine dynamic until I met Gibsie and Claire. They both compliment each other so well, fit so perfectly in each other's life, and I love how even though they both exudes warmth and happiness, they always have a balance in their friendship with their different dynamics. Their childhood friendship gives me so much comfort knowing that Gibsie always had Claire by his side, in his darkest times. Their lifelong frienship gives pure soulmatism vibes, and it's a beautiful and pure concoction of loyalty, humour, banter, comfort and love. I loved everything about Gibsie and Claire and especially the moments when they were kids and how Claire helped Gibsie healed and over come his fears. Their special bond has all my heart.
“You were dreaming?” “I dream every night.” Wow. Lucky her. “What were you dreaming about?” “The usual,” she replied, cheek resting on my chest again. “Which is?” “You.”
Their story was equally painful and beautiful but the way they finally let down their walls enough to give their love a chance was everything. Seeing Gibsie accepting her love and giving Claire the commitment and security she needed in return from him made me so much happy for these two. It took quiet a good scenes of jealousy and bad dates but he finally accepted his defeat. They are perfect. They are everything.
“I loved her. Every part of me. With every bone in my body. Defective and all as I was. I couldn’t help it. It was instinctive. It was ever consuming. It was forever.”
It's criminal how underrated Johnny and Gibsie's friendship is. They are so adorable as friends. And the scene where Johnny was holding Gibsie, telling him how much he means to him while Gibsie was crying and breaking in his arms ...more